Worldly pleasure, as understood within the biblical context, refers to the pursuit of enjoyment and satisfaction derived from earthly and material sources, often in contrast to spiritual fulfillment. The Bible provides numerous insights into the nature and consequences of seeking pleasure from a worldly perspective.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament frequently addresses the fleeting and deceptive nature of worldly pleasures. In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon, known for his wisdom and wealth, reflects on his own experiences with worldly indulgence. He writes, "I said to myself, 'Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good!' But it proved to be futile" (Ecclesiastes 2:1). Solomon's exploration of pleasure, wealth, and accomplishments ultimately leads him to conclude that such pursuits are "meaningless, a chasing after the wind" (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

The Proverbs also caution against the pursuit of pleasure at the expense of wisdom and righteousness. Proverbs 21:17 warns, "He who loves pleasure will become poor; he who loves wine and oil will never be rich" . This verse highlights the potential for worldly pleasures to lead to spiritual and material impoverishment.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to address the theme of worldly pleasure, often contrasting it with the call to live a life pleasing to God. In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes the seed sown among thorns as representing those who hear the word, but "the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful" (Mark 4:19). Here, the pursuit of worldly pleasures is depicted as a hindrance to spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

The apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently warns against the dangers of succumbing to worldly desires. In his epistle to the Galatians, he contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, listing "sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, and witchcraft" among the acts of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:19-21). Paul exhorts believers to live by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh.

In his letter to Timothy, Paul describes the perilous times of the last days, noting that people will be "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:4). This passage underscores the tendency of worldly pleasure to draw individuals away from a genuine love and devotion to God.

The Call to Holiness

Throughout Scripture, believers are called to a life of holiness and separation from the corrupting influences of worldly pleasures. James admonishes, "You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4). This strong language emphasizes the incompatibility of worldly pursuits with a life devoted to God.

Peter echoes this sentiment, urging believers to "abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul" (1 Peter 2:11). The call to holiness involves a conscious decision to prioritize spiritual values over temporary, worldly gratifications.

Eternal Perspective

The Bible encourages believers to adopt an eternal perspective, recognizing that worldly pleasures are temporary and ultimately unsatisfying. In 1 John 2:15-17, the apostle John writes, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever" .

This passage serves as a reminder that true fulfillment and lasting joy are found in aligning one's life with the will of God, rather than in the pursuit of worldly pleasures.Job 20:12-16
Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;
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Job 21:12,13
They take the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
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Proverbs 9:17
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
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Proverbs 15:21
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walks uprightly.
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Proverbs 21:17
He that loves pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
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Ecclesiastes 1:17
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
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Ecclesiastes 2:1-13
I said in my heart, Go to now, I will prove you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
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Isaiah 5:11,12
Woe to them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
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Isaiah 22:12,13
And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
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Isaiah 47:8,9
Therefore hear now this, you that are given to pleasures, that dwell carelessly, that say in your heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:
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Amos 6:1
Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!
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Luke 8:14
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
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Romans 1:32
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
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2 Thessalonians 2:12
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
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1 Timothy 5:6
But she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.
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2 Timothy 3:4
Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
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Titus 3:3
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
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Hebrews 11:25,26
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
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2 Peter 2:13
And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
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On Redeeming the Time
... can for the best purposes; buying up every fleeting moment out of the hands of sin
and Satan, out of the hands of sloth, ease, pleasure, worldly business; the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 93 on redeeming the.htm

Worldly Business no Plea for the Neglect of Religion
... one with another, to make the renewal of their fallen nature, the one business of
their lives; and to let no worldly profit, no worldly pleasure, divert them ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/worldly business no plea for.htm

Spiritual Declension.
... gospel is a joyful sound; and the place where kindred spirits mingle in social praise
and worship is far more attractive than the scenes of worldly pleasure. ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/spiritual declension.htm

The True Gnostic is Beneficent, Continent, and Despises Worldly ...
... Such is the gnostic labourer, who has the mastery of worldly desires even ... three
varieties of fornication, according to the apostle"love of pleasure, love of ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xii the true gnostic is.htm

External Foes.
... Pleasure. Another enemy is worldly pleasure. A great many people are just drowned
in pleasure. They have no time for any meditation at all. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/part iii external foes.htm

Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
... Thoughts upon Worldly-Riches. ... expressed by the word keruosein, which properly signifies
to publish or proclaim, as Heralds do, the Will and Pleasure of the ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly-riches sect ii.htm

The Same Subject Continued.
... Alas! the worldly woman is entirely absorbed in herself, and when she does something
for others, it is with a view to secure her own interest or pleasure. ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter viii the same subject.htm

Of the Union of Our Will to the Good-Pleasure of God by ...
... of either: nothing but the will of God can set their hearts at rest; heaven appears
no more pleasant than worldly miseries, if God's good-pleasure be equally ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iv of the union.htm

Thoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I.
... is, consisting in having a real Esteem for it, in taking Pleasure and Delight in ...
are so careful and industrious in the Prosecution of their worldly Designs, so ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon worldly riches sect.htm

Divine and Worldly Conformity
... vanity remain in the heart, preaching to people and requiring them to cease wearing
worldly adornment is ... There's no thirsting for life's pleasure, Nor adorning ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk nineteen divine and worldly.htm

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